SOUTHEND United have rejected an offer from Hull City for goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

Echosport understands the Tigers tabled a bid of £1million for the 22-year-old shotstopper.

But Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin chose not to accept the offer and is desperate for Bentley to remain at Roots Hall.

“Hull’s manager Steve Bruce spoke to Phil Brown and Steve Kavanagh, but we have rejected the offer and don’t want to lose Daniel,” said Martin.

“There have been no other bids from anyone else other than Hull, but we want him to stay with us.

“That said, we won’t stand in his way if a really sizeable offer comes in and he is intent on leaving.

“But that’s not the case at the moment and we’re working on a new contract for him that would be in the mutual interest of both the player and the football club.”

Hull chief Bruce was at Roots Hall on Saturday to watch Bentley in action in a pre-season friendly against West Ham United which the Hammers won 3-2.

But Shrimpers boss Brown also wants Bentley to stay with Southend as they look to build on last season’s promotion from League Two.

“I’ve sat down with Steve, he’s a great manager and a good friend of mine but I don’t want to sell Daniel and neither does the chairman,” said Brown.

“Steve is after competition for places, just as we are, but I want Daniel to stay to help us try to push for another promotion.

“I also want him to finish his footballing apprenticeship with us but money talks in football.”

As a result, Brown is now bracing himself for further bids for Bentley who was voted Blues’ player of the year last season.

“I’m sure it won’t stop here for Daniel,” said Brown. “Brentford and Nottingham Forest have both been keen on him in the past but I will continue to speak to Daniel about a new contract.

“We’ve been in talks for a while and there have been one or two issues which I will keep in-house but we will be doing all we can to convince him to stay.”